Bride For A Year

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There was something so blatantly sensual about the way he was looking at her that she could feel heat rising in waves inside her. ‘How did you manage to get a reservation at such short notice?’ She tried very hard to keep the conversation on an impersonal level.

He smiled as if he knew exactly what she was doing. ‘I can be persuasive when I want something badly enough.’

She looked away from him. ‘You mean you bribed them... just like you are trying to bribe me into marriage?’

His eyebrows rose at that. ‘I’ve never bribed anyone in my life. Hell, Paige, I suggested marriage to you because I believe it will be to our mutual benefit. Do you really have such a low opinion of me?’

Their eyes met across the table and her heart thudded unsteadily. ‘I don’t know what to think any more,’ she admitted, regretting her outburst. Brad had been so charming throughout dinner. ‘I’m sorry; perhaps the word “bribe” was a bit strong.’

He leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed again. ‘Yes—especially for a prospective mayor.’ Humour danced in the darkness of his eyes.

Her eyes moved contemplatively over his features. He looked strong and uncompromising, but the impression of strength was one of positive integrity and honour. If it wasn’t for the way Brad had behaved towards her father in the last months of his life, she would have had no compunction about believing he was the type of guy you could trust.

‘You must be very eager to become mayor if you are prepared to get married in order to secure more votes.’

‘It has become very important to me.’ He nodded. ‘I think I can make a difference around here, make life better.’

‘Then what... Washington?’ she asked lightly, a smile in her voice.

He laughed. ‘Give me a chance. I haven’t been elected here yet.’ He reached across and poured the last of the wine into her glass.

She shrugged. ‘You’re ambitious. If things go well for you, I shouldn’t think you’ll want to stay in such a small pool.’

‘This town is my home. Like you, I’ve been brought up with a healthy respect for the land, for my heritage. I wouldn’t give that up lightly.’

Paige thought of his mother. ‘No... Elizabeth wouldn’t have wanted that.’ For a moment her eyes clouded. She still missed Elizabeth.

Brad’s eyes met hers. ‘She would have approved of my proposing to you, though,’ he said with a wry twist of his lips.

Paige smiled. ‘Isn’t that enough to make you do the opposite? She always said you were your own man, a free thinker, stubborn as the day is long.’

Brad grinned. ‘Funny, she said very similar things about you.’

For a moment they looked at each other and Paige could feel the poignancy of those memories very strongly between them.

‘Elizabeth was a lovely person. You must still miss her terribly.’

He inclined his head. ‘But life goes on,’ he said slowly. ‘My mother taught me that lesson when I was very young, and my father had just died. She was very brave and strong and she worked very hard at keeping the vineyard going from success to success.’

Paige nodded. ‘She was an extraordinary woman.’

‘She used to say, Paige, that the secret of life was not to be afraid of it, but to embrace it firmly.’

Paige’s eyes misted with sudden tears.

He reached across and took hold of her hand. ‘Marry me, Paige... I need you. I want you.’

She swallowed hard. ‘You don’t need anyone. You’ll walk this election whether you are married or single.’

He smiled. ‘It’s nice of you to have such faith in me. But I think my chances will be greater with you by my side. What is it they say? Behind every successful man there is a woman?’

‘A surprised mother-in-law, I believe, is the other ending to that particular line.’ Paige laughed.

‘As I never knew your mother I don’t know whether she would be surprised or not. But I know my mother would feel nothing but joy, especially if you were my partner.’

‘You’re not being fair, Brad. You shouldn’t bring Elizabeth into this. You know how much I thought of her.’

His lips slanted in a half-smile. ‘Listen, I’m so desperate I’d bring a priest in at this moment if I thought it would make a difference to the way you think about me.’

She half laughed at the humorous tone, the sparkle in his eyes. ‘This is crazy,’ she murmured. ‘A marriage of convenience...’ She shook her head.

‘I think it makes perfect sense.’

‘You would.’ She bit down on her lip.

‘People have been making marriages of convenience since the beginning of time. A lot have been tremendously successful.’

to take your word for it. I can’t think of any myself.’

‘It’s a year out of your life.’ He shrugged. ‘Then you get your vineyard back... No need to run away—’

‘I’m not running away.’

‘Whatever.’ He waved a hand dismissively, then sat back. ‘So, what do you say?’

She didn’t answer immediately and he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and brought out a small box. He opened it and a large solitaire diamond ring sparkled invitingly inside.

‘You’ve already bought the ring?’ Her eyes flew from the box to his face.

‘I feel very confident that this is the right thing to do.’

‘I’m sorry, Brad, but I can’t say I share that confidence.’

He picked up the ring from the box, holding it between finger and thumb so that it caught the candlelight on the table and reflected a myriad of rainbow colours. ‘Tell you what: if it fits the third finger of your left hand perfectly, we’ll call it an omen and go ahead... And if it doesn’t we’ll forget the whole thing.’

Paige frowned. ‘That’s a bit flip for such an important decision, don’t you think?’

He smiled. ‘I’m a great believer in fate.’ He picked up her hand and slipped the ring in place.

It fitted perfectly. ‘Just like Cinderella and the glass slipper,’ he said with a twinkle in his eyes as she looked up at him.

‘Brad, this is—’

Whatever she had been going to say was cut off by the way he leaned across and kissed her on the lips.

It was just a brief kiss, but it was warm and inviting and it made her forget exactly just what she had been going to say.

She stared at him wordlessly as he sat back in his chair. ‘Shall I order some champagne?’